Page 13 of Billionaire's Baby Mistake

We walk into the room I’ve had set up for the press conference. I notice my heart rate instantly kicking up a notch, proving just how anxious I am. I shouldn’t care as long as the formula comes across as safe and effective, but I’m half scared that Alex will be slated and also terrified that someone will notice me and pick up who I am. I scan the room, but luckily, no one sees me. I’m just staff - someone to be ignored entirely.

Alex sits in his chair and faces the crowd, whereas I stand behind him, trying to blend into the background. It isn’t long before the reporters start firing.

“Can you tell us exactly what is in the drug?”

“What are your plans concerning health and safety?”

“What will the costs be of this drug to the public?”

I have to suck in a few deep breaths to keep calm, but luckily for me, Alex turns on the charm and manages to relax everyone almost instantly. He is an expert in faking it until you make it, which makes me jealous. I thought I was pretty good at it, but nothing compares to this. It makes me like him a little bit more.

Just as I think we might be ready to wrap things up, having made a complete success of the session, someone stands up. It’s a guy I haven’t noticed before, and he raises his hand to grab Alex’s attention. I stare at him, smiling, thinking this will be the last question, but then he opens his mouth and starts talking.

“So, Mr. Bryson, what do you say about your scientists' disagreement over this drug?” That statement makes my heart stop dead in my chest. Yes, just before I started working at International Pharma Co., there was some petty disagreement between a couple of the staff on the technical team, and one of them walked out, but it wasn’t due to the drug… not really. It was petty due to working under stressful conditions in a small lab. But no one should know about it, least of all the media. Everyone, including me, has signed a non-disclosure agreement for things like that, which could cause severe issues. “Didn’t you lose people over this?”

Shit, what do I do? Should I step in and put an end to this fiasco? I glance at Alex, wanting to take the lead, but he isn’t making any contact. Finally, he answers the guy without even batting an eyelash, taking control of the situation by himself. I haven’t prompted him because I never thought this would happen.

“There will always be staff disputes in a company like mine, where people work long days under intense conditions. The disagreement that led to someone moving on to another company wasn’t over the drug; it had more to do with a clash of egos. It got sorted out properly, and we conducted an exit interview, but sometimes things cannot be saved.”

The man stares at Alex briefly before sliding slowly back into his seat, seemingly with nothing else to argue. The way Alex handled the challenge was phenomenal. I didn’t want to risk anything more, so I stepped forward and told him it’s time to go.

“Okay, well, thank you, everyone. It’s been nice to speak to you all.”

When we return to the hallway, I realize my heart was thumping painfully in my chest. That was petrifying, and I cannot believe we made it through unscathed.

“Wow, you did well,” I gasped, grabbing his arm. “I can’t believe how amazing you are.”

He pulls me in for a deep, celebratory hug, and I fall into his chest happily. Unfortunately, this moment is far too intimate and friendly. I’m sure that others must be picking up on it, but luckily no one has the guts to comment.

“Thank you,” he whispers in my ear. “I couldn’t have done it without you. You were a massive help.” Seeing him in action, I’m not sure that’s true, but I don’t intend to say it aloud. I would much rather lap up the compliments and let him believe I’m excellent at my job. “I have an investor meeting to go to now, but I’ll see you in a bit, okay?”

I watch him walk away with a nostalgic feeling in my heart until I feel a rough tap on my shoulder. I spin around to see the unwelcome face of Van looking at me. He’s hunched over, dandruff littering his shoulders, and his glasses hang annoyingly on the end of his nose. Already I feel irritated, and he hasn’t even opened his mouth yet. I know I won’t like what he says because I never do. But, I swear to God, if he asks me if Alex and I have slept together, I might kick him in the balls.

“How was that?” I stare at him blankly, not even slightly understanding his question. “The conference? Was he blindsided by all the rumors? By everything leaked to the press?”

“Did you do that?” I gasp in annoyance as the truth hits me. “Are you fucking serious? What the hell were you playing at?”

“Oh, come on, it’s funny,” he laughs loudly, winding me up even more. “Alex needs to be taken down a peg or two. I want him to be off balance so we can take him down quicker.”

“And you honestly think that was a good idea without even telling me?” I snap back, my blood boiling with anger. “You could have damaged everything with that stupid move. We want to take down the company but don’t want to destroy Dad’s work.” The odd look he gives me proves that he just doesn’t get it. How am I supposed to work alongside someone who is so pig headed? “Just keep me in the loop next time, okay?”

“That’s not all that I’ve done,” he tells me just before I’m about to turn away. “I got this for you?”

He hands me a small box with some weird stuff inside it. I turn it over and over in my fingers, trying to figure out what I should do with it.

“What’s this?” I ask in an exasperated tone. “And it better not be something you have already done without me.”

This is why I didn’t want any help and started this alone. I should have that explained to Dad. I’m sure he would have understood…

“It’s to make a cast. Then if you get the opportunity, you can print Alex’s office key to get one for yourself.

Damn it, I don’t want to admit it to him, but that’s pretty good thinking on his behalf.

“Okay,” I grumpily say, shoving the item into my pocket. “Thank you. I’ll do that.”

“Yeah, then you can get into his office and….”

“I know, I know,” I hold up my hands, shutting him down. “Trust me, I know what I have to do. I’ve been planning this forever. Don’t you worry about my part; I have it all under control.”

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